>>> THIS TIME ON
"CAPITOL UPDATE."
>> THE SPEAKER WILL TAKE THE
AMENDMENT. [APPLAUSE]
>> WE WILL SHOW YOU WHAT BROUGHT
THE SENATE PRESIDENT TO TEARS
DURING THE VOTE ON THE BILL THIS
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, PLUS A
MOMENT OF CELEBRATION WITH THE
SENATE PASSING THE FIRST
STATEWIDE WATER POLICY NOW
HEADED TO THE HOUSE.
THOSE STORIES AND MORE, STRAIGHT
AHEAD.
♪
>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL UPDATE"
CUMMINGS OR REVIEW OF STATE
GOVERNMENT FOR JANUARY 13TH.
I THERESA MARSENBURG.
A NUMBER TWO OF THE 2016
LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE
SENATE APPROVED TWO MEASURES
CONSIDERED PRIORITY IS FOR BOTH
CHAMBERS.
THE STATEWIDE WATER POLICY WILL
IMPORTANT TO THE HOUSE SPEAKER
AND AN EDUCATION BILL THAT
EXPANDS OPTIONS TO PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.
IT WAS ACTION ON THE BILL THAT
BROUGHT TEARS TO THOSE WATCHING
THE PROCESS AND A SURPRISE FOR
THE SENATE PRESIDENT.
KRYSTA BROWN BRINGS US THE
STORY.
>> THOSE FAMILIAR WITH THE
PROCESS KNOW WHAT THEY WATCH
TODAY DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN,
ESPECIALLY ON THE SECOND DAY OF
THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
BUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SENATE
SESSION TODAY WAS HISTORIC FOR
BOTH CHAMBERS BECAUSE IT LOOKS
LIKE THEY WILL BOTH GET WHAT
THEY WANT.
>> SENATE BILL 672 TITLE DOESN'T
DESCRIBE EVERYTHING IN A
MEASURE.
AN OPTION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
TO GET AT LEAST AN EXTRA $10 OF
FUNDING PER STUDENT AT THE
INCORPORATE A SCHOOL DRESS CODE.
SENATOR JEFF CLEMENS TRIED TO
REMOVE THAT PART OF THE BILL BUT
RECONSIDERED.
>> THIS BILL IS VERY IMPORTANT
AND DOES A LOT OF AMAZING
THINGS.
SO, I JUST CAN'T LET MY
AMENDMENT COME TO A VOTE TODAY
OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE SENATE
PRESIDENT AND HOW IMPORTANT THE
OTHER THINGS ARE ON THE BILL.
>> THOSE OTHER THINGS HE
REFERRED TO LED TO THE
SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT WITH KIDS
LIVING WITH A DISABILITY AND
THEIR FAMILIES $10,000 TO USE
FOR EDUCATION.
OR OTHER BENEFICIAL SERVICES.
SENATORS KNEW HOW IMPORTANT THE
BILL WAS TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT
ANDY GARDNER BUT ONLY A FEW KNEW
OF THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS UP
NEXT.
>> SO THE AMENDMENT PROVIDES
THAT AS THE GARDINER IS NOT JUST
A STATUTE BUT IN EVERY PIECE OF
EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL, EVERY
DESCRIPTION, EVERY LETTER TO
EVERY FAMILY TELLING THEM THAT
THEY HAVE RECEIVED THIS
SCHOLARSHIP THAT BENDING
GARDINER WILL BE ATTACHED FROM
NOW UNTIL THE END OF TIME AND
THAT IS THE AMENDMENT
MR.PRESIDENT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AS THE SENATORS AND THE
ONLOOKERS APPLAUDED THE
AMENDMENT, THE SENATE PRESIDENT
HELD BACK THE MOTIONS AS THEY
POLITELY DECLINED.
>> I MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE
HOUSE WE WOULD SEND THE BILL
CLEAN AND WITH NO AMENDMENT AND
IT WOULD BE MY QUEST AND WHILE
IT IS VERY HUMBLING THAT WE
WITHDRAW THIS AMENDMENT AND WE
WOULD HELP THE HONOR MY
COMMITMENT TO THE HOUSE AND
MAYBE ANOTHER TIME AND ANOTHER
PLACE WE WOULD ENTERTAIN THAT.
>> AS GARDINER KEPT ASKING THE
SPONSOR TO THE FORMER SENATE
PRESIDENT HIMSELF TO WITHDRAW
THE AMENDMENT --
>> I'M VERY HUMBLED AND PROUD --
[APPLAUSE]
THE SPEAKER CALLED AND SAID HE
WOULD TAKE THE AMENDMENT.
[APPLAUSE]
THE SPEAKER HAD BEEN WATCHING.
ALSO WATCHING, AND IN TURN OF
THE SENATE PRESIDENTS OFFICE WHO
WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE
MEASURE PASSED WEDNESDAY BECAUSE
IT CREATES A PATH TO POST
SECONDARY EDUCATION.
>> CLAIRE WAS INTERVIEWED BY THE
FLORIDA CHANNEL LAST YEAR, AND
SHE MADE A COMMENT THAT I THINK
THIS BILL WILL MAYBE HELP HER
GET THERE.
SHE SAID I JUST WANT TO GO TO
COLLEGE, AND PRESIDENT GAETZ,
YOUR BILL WILL CREATE THE PATH.
>> LAWMAKERS ADOPTED THE
AMENDMENT AND UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE BILL, SENDING IT TO
THE HOUSE FOR APPROVAL.
>> I CAN TELL YOU EACH OF US,
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS,
THINGS LIKE THIS IS WHY YOU COME
UP HERE.
SO, PRESIDENT GAETZ, YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
MR.PRESIDENT.
FORMER PRESIDENT STILL HAVE A
LITTLE INFLUENCE.
>> A PROVISION THAT WAS VETOED
BY THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR SETS
UP A STATEWIDE COORDINATING
CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR FAMILIES AND
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO GO
TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION THEY
NEED ABOUT PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES.
THAT IS ALSO IN THIS BILL.
>> THANKS, KRYSTA.
THE SENATE WAS UNANIMOUS PASSING
A STATEWIDE WATER POLICY DON'T
KNOW ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAID
IT DOESN'T GO FAR TO PROTECT THE
QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THE
RESOURCES.
SENATORS ALL AGREED IT IS AN
IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.
"CAPITOL UPDATE" MELISSA
KLINZING HAS MORE.
>> DEAN HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET A
WATER BILL PASSED AND WE HAVE
FINALLY SUCCEEDED THIS YEAR, HIS
LAST IN THE SENATE.
>> WE MUST SET GOALS AND
LEADERSHIP FOR THE ENTIRE NATION
WHEN IT COMES TO THE WATER BY
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO.
>> THE BILL OUTLINES THE
STANDARD GOALS AND DEADLINES TO
PROTECT THE EVERGLADES,
FLORIDA'S LARGEST SPRINGS AND
THE AQUIFER THAT SUPPLIES FRESH
WATER STATEWIDE.
THE SENATOR FEINGOLD FOR
AMENDMENTS TO PUT MORE TO SOME
OF THE REGULATIONS.
>> THE BILL SPONSOR HAS A
RESPONSE TO THOSE AMENDMENTS AND
THREE OTHERS.
>> THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER PROPERLY
VETTED IN THE PROCESS AND SHOULD
BE DEVELOPED AND CONSIDERED IN A
SEPARATE BILL.
>> THE ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN
PROPERLY VETTED IN THE COMMITTEE
SO WE WOULD HOPE YOU BRING THIS
TO THE COMMITTEE AND HAVE IT
PROPERLY VETTED.
>> WHICH LED TO AN OBJECTION.
>> SOME OF US DON'T SEE THESE
UNTIL THEY GET TO THE FLOOR.
IF THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WE
HAVE FOR VOTING THIS AMENDMENT
IS THAT IT WASN'T VETTED IN THE
COMMITTEE, I'M NOT SURE WE WANT
A PRECEDENT FOR THE MEANS TO HOW
WE MOVE FORWARD.
>> EITHER WAS AMENDED OR
WITHDRAWN AND SENATORS AGREED
IT'S AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP
AREA AND ONE SENATOR DESCRIBED
IT AS AN INTRICATE COMPROMISE.
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY,
ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND OTHERS
WITH COMPETING INTERESTS.
>> IT IS A DELICATE AND FRAGILE,
BUT MONUMENTAL PIECE OF
LEGISLATION.
>> THIS BILL WILL REVOLUTIONIZE,
IN MY OPINION, THE WAY THAT WE
HANDLE WATER BECAUSE WE ARE
LOOKING AT IT NOW AS A STATEWIDE
RESOURCE.
>> WITH US HAVING BUT I BELIEVE
TO BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STATE
IN THE NATION, WE HAVE A DUTY TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT ALL
THESE ENVIRONMENTAL TREASURES
AND SO I DO BELIEVE THIS BILL
WILL ADVANCE FORWARD.
DOES IT HAVE EVERYTHING WE WANT,
BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT IS IN THE
LEGISLATURE.
>> WHILE THERE MAY BE MARCO
PROVISOS TO COME THE HOUSE AND
SENATE LEADERS GAVE THEIR WAY
INTO THE HOUSE POLICY BILL WILL
BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO REACH THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK.
FOR "CAPITOL UPDATE," I'M
MELISSA KLINZING.
>> ANOTHER AZURE YEARS IN THE
MAKING GOT IT WAY WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON BUT HAD TO DO WITH
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING OR FRACKING
DIFFUSES HIGH-PRESSURE WATER AND
CHEMICALS TO PRODUCE OIL AND
NATURAL GAS.
THERE ARE NO LAWS GOVERNING THAT
IN THE STATE AND THE BILL WOULD
CHANGE THAT.
>> THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL IN
THE MORATORIUM GOES IN PLACE
BECAUSE THIS BILL CALLS FOR AND
REQUIRES A STUDY, A
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE
FLORIDA HYDROLOGY AND GEOLOGY IN
FLORIDA AND IT PROVIDES FOR THE
FUNDING OF THE STUDY AND IT
PROVIDES THAT STUDY PURE REVIEW
AND IN THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY,
DEP WILL BE CHARGED TO DEVELOP,
AND ADOPT THE RULES.
>> THE BILL OF PROCREATION FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION TO CONDUCT THE STUDY
DURING TODAY'S MEETING OF THE
COMMITTEE CHANGED THE BILL TO
REQUIRE DEP TO SUBMIT ADOPTED
RULES TO THE LEGISLATURE
EFFECTIVELY HALTING FRACKING IN
FLORIDA UNTIL LAWMAKERS GIVE THE
OKAY.
FLORIDA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL URGED
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO VOTE
AGAINST A MEASURE SHE SAID WOULD
COST TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS.
THE ISSUE IS THE LACK OF THE
DEFINITION EXPLAINING UNUSUALLY
AND CUSTOMARY, THE TERM THAT
LABS AND DOCTORS HE WAS TO BUILD
A STATE FOR MEDICAID CLAIM.
THE REPRESENTATIVE AND ATTORNEY
HIMSELF SAID THE BILL WOULD
CREATE A DEFINITION TO USE WHEN
DECIDING THE CASE IS THAT THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO COULDN'T
GIVE SPECIFICS BECAUSE THE
PENDING CASES SAID IT WOULD
HINDER FLORIDA FROM GETTING
MILLIONS IN THE SETTLEMENT.
>> AS YOUR CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
FOR FLORIDA, I HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO BE STANDING HERE
IN FRONT OF EVERYONE OF YOU HERE
TODAY AND TELL YOU THAT WE DO
HAVE VERY ACTIVE LITIGATION
PENDING.
INVOLVING MASSIVE HEALTH CARE
FRAUD.
THIS ISN'T A FRAUD POLICY.
YOU WOULD BE LEGISLATING ONE
CASE PENDING IN FLORIDA
CURRENTLY.
WHILE LAWMAKERS APPRECIATED THE
COMMENTS SUPPORTED THE MEASURE
ARGUED DIFFERENTLY.
>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE WE HAVE
TWO MORE COMMITTEE STOPS.
IT IS UNUSUAL FOR US TO TAKE UP
THE POSTURE THAT IN THIS
SITUATION WE ARE BEING BROUGHT
TO FACT TODAY AND MANY MEMBERS
DID NOT KNOW TO SAY WE ARE GOING
TO VOTE AGAINST IT BECAUSE IT
SHOULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER THE
FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE ARE
HERE TO BE DELIVERED AND THAT IS
WHAT WE ARE DOING.
>> THE COMMITTEE RAN OUT OF TIME
TO DEBATE THE MEASURE THAT WAS
UTTERLY POSTPONED HOWEVER THEY
DID AMEND THE BILL TO MAKE THE
PROVISION RETROACTIVE.
DESPITE THE OPPOSITION THERE
WASN'T ANYONE AGAINST THE
REVISED MEASURE IN THE SAME
COMMITTEE THAT EXPANDS THE KID
CARE COVERAGE TO CHILDREN OF
LEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
>> THERE IS ONE THAT CARED THAT
WE CAN HELP WITH THE BILL WE ARE
DOING A GOOD JOB EXCEPT WE ARE
DOING IT FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS.
YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE LIVES
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
THE KIDS OF FLORIDA APPRECIATE
YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THE
AMERICAN DREAM.
THE MEASURE REMOVES THE
FIVE-YEAR WAIT TIME FOR FAMILIES
HERE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE
LOW-COST HEALTH-CARE PROGRAM FOR
KIDS TO BE SINCE IT RECEIVES
FEDERAL FUNDING THE FEDERAL LAW
REQUIRED THE WAIT TIME BUT A
2009 MODIFICATION ALLOWS THE
STATES TO DO WHAT THEY WANT.
THE MEASURE HAS TWO MORE
COMMITTEE STOPS.
SANCTUARY CITIES COULD BE ON
THEIR WAY TO BEING BANNED IN
FLORIDA.
A BILL JUST PASSED ITS FIRST
COMMITTEE TODAY AFTER DOZENS
TESTIFIED ABOUT THE SESSION.
"CAPITOL UPDATE" BARBARA SHARP
HAS THE REPORT.
LAST YEAR'S CASE PASSED BY A
MANY TIMES APART IT FELL AND
OCCURRED SOMETIMES THEY SAY
BECAUSE THAT CITY AS A SANCTUARY
CITY.
THE SPONSOR OF 675 SAYS HE
DOESN'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN IN
FLORIDA.
SOME IMMIGRANTS ARE WORRIED.
>> IT'S TIME TO STOP THE
SEPARATION OF OUR FAMILIES.
WE ARE DIGNIFIED WORKERS WORKING
FROM DAY TO DAY IN THIS COUNTRY
BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAYS HIS
PROPOSAL ONLY AIMS TO ENFORCE
CURRENT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW
WHICH PRIMARILY TARGETS
CRIMINALS.
ACCORDING TO THE BUDDHA SAID ITS
STAFF THERE ARE SEVEN SANCTUARY
ENTITIES IN FLORIDA THAT HAVE
ADOPTED POLICIES LIMITING THE
COOPERATION WITH THUNDERBOLT
IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.
HERNANDO, PASCO, HILLSBOROUGH,
PINELLAS, PALM BEACH, BROWARD
AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
>> IT WOULD STAY AS A MATTER OF
POLICY IN FLORIDA THAT WE ARE
NOT GOING TO TOLERATE STATE OR
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES FROM
REFUSING TO COOPERATE IN THE
PERSON OF THE FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION LAW.
>> AND IT HAS SOME TEETH IN IT
FINDS TO GET GOVERNMENT
ATTENTION OF PROTESTERS WAVING
THEIR HANDS DURING THE HEARING
TO MAKE THEIR POINT SAY THEY ARE
SCARED.
>> WE WANT TO APPEAL SAFE AND WE
WANT OUR KIDS TO COME BACK.
>> THE SPONSOR ADMITTED THAT
THESE STORIES PULLED AT HIS
HEARTSTRINGS.
>> THERE'S BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ON
THIS PLANET EARTH AND I WOULD
VENTURE TO SAY THAT MOST OF
THEM, IF GIVEN ANY OPPORTUNITY
AT ALL WOULD COME HERE.
THEY WOULDN'T HESITATE TO COME
HERE.
SO IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND
DEFEND OUR REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT
AND RULE OF LAW-BASED SOCIETY,
WE HAVE TO HAVE IMMIGRATION LAW
FOR YOU TO.
>> IN THE END OF THE VOTE
FURTHER HIGHLIGHTED THE
IMMIGRATION DIVIDE.
THE REPRESENTATIVE, A DEMOCRAT
VOTED AGAINST THE
BILL BUT SAYS --
>> I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION
OF PEOPLE THAT SEE THIS ISSUE
CONTINUING UNRESOLVED.
I GET THAT AND I RESPECT THAT.
BUT THIS ISN'T THE PLACE TO BE
DOING IT.
>> WE ARE FLORIDA THE GROUP HAD
ORGANIZING TODAY'S PROTESTER
SAYS THEY ARE ALSO AGAINST OTHER
BILLS THEY SAY CALL THREATS TO
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.
ONE OF THOSE MAKES IT A
THIRD-DEGREE FELONY TO REENTER
FLORIDA AFTER BEING DEPORTED.
THAT BILL PASSED JUSTICE
APPROPRIATION ROOM.
>> THIS WEEK THE SCREEN COURT
RULING ON THE DEATH PENALTY IN
FLORIDA COULD THROW A WRINKLE
INTO THE STATE BUDGET.
THE STATE PROSECUTORS AND
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS SAID IT COULD
LEAD TO THE NEW APPEALS AND AT
THAT DEATH PENALTY CASES.
IN THE JUSTICE APPROPRIATION
COMMITTEE THEY ASKED LAWYERS TO
FIND OUT HOW MUCH EXTRA MONEY
WOULD BE NEEDED WITH ALMOST 400
PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW RIGHT NOW.
>> WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH
400 OR SO CASES IT IS A HUGE
WORKLOAD JUST IN TERMS OF HOW DO
WE GO FORWARD I WISH I KNEW THE
ANSWER TO THAT.
I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF TRYING THE
CASE IN THE CIRCUIT RIGHT NOW.
>> MICHAEL HAS AN EXECUTION
SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 11.
FLORIDA HAS ASKED ATTORNEYS
INVOLVED IN THE CASE IF THE NEW
RULING OUT OF WASHINGTON IS
RELEVANT IN HIS CASE.
THE SUPREME COURT INVALIDATED
THE WAY THE DEATH SENTENCES WERE
HANDED DOWN BY A JUDGE AND NOT
EXCLUSIVELY IS NOT BY A JURY.
HERE'S THE FIRST LOOK AT THE
BILLS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE
TODAY.
♪
>> THE SCHOOL TESTING ISSUE IS
BACK BUT THIS TIME LAWMAKERS ARE
CONSIDERING GETTING THE STUDENTS
IN THE OFFICIAL PATH TO OPTING
OUT OF THE FSA.
THAT IS THE MANDATED MATH AND
READING TESTS THAT SCHOOLS
STRUGGLE TO ADMINISTER FOR THE
FIRST TIME LAST SPRING.
>> IF IT IS THE WILL OF THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND THE
GOVERNOR THAT WE PROVIDED TO THE
DISTRICTS AND TO FAMILIES
ALTERNATIVES, IT CAN'T BE MORE
COSTLY.
IN OTHER WORDS IT HAS TO BE
BUDGET NEUTRAL.
>> THE CHAIR OF THE
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE HELD A
WORKSHOP WITH NATIONAL TEST
COMPANY OFFICIALS FROM THE ACP
AND THE SAT.
THEY STAND READY AND WILLING TO
SWAP OUT THE CONTROVERSY OVER
EXAM FOR THEIR PRODUCTS WHICH
ARE MORE COMMON MEAN NO KNOWS
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS.
BUT BOTH TESTTAKERS SHARE THEY
HAVE AN ENTIRE SUITE OF EXAMS
THAT SOME STATES HAVE ALREADY
CHOSEN TO ADMINISTER TO THE
STUDENTS IN GRADES THREE THROUGH
EIGHT TO BE IF THEY WOULD BE
CONSIDERED AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE
FSA AND THE END OF COURSE EXAMS
THREE AT.
>> IT'S FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS
INTACT TO REPLACE THE OLD FCAT
WITH ONE OF YOUR EXISTING EXAMS,
SO I AM EXCITED FROM THAT
STANDPOINT TO DELVE INTO THE
POSSIBILITY.
>> THE PROPOSAL OF THE SENATE
BILL 1360 WASN'T CONSIDERED FOR
THE LAW MAKERS GOT TO ASK
QUESTIONS ON HOW THE PLAN WOULD
WORK.
>> IT IS A GOOD DEAL.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
AS WE PROCEED WE START WORKING
THROUGH SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND
YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT WE WILL
WORK THROUGH THESE THINGS AS A
POLICY COMMITTEE AND IF THE
MONEY IS THERE WE WILL TRY TO
GET OUR ARMS AROUND SOME OF
THESE ISSUES.
>> THE SENATOR'S PRE- K. THROUGH
12 PANEL WOULD BE THE FIRST TO
VOTE ON THE MEASURE.
CURRENTLY THERE IS NO HOUSE
COMPANION.
A BILL THAT WOULD REGULATE WHY
SERVICES LIKE UBER PASS THE
STAFF THAT HAVE A LONG ROAD TO
BECOME LAW.
509 WOULD SET MINIMUM INSURANCE
REQUIREMENTS AND MANDATE ANNUAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR DRIVERS.
PROHIBIT COUNTIES FROM ENACTING
THEIR OWN RULES.
WITHOUT THE PROVISION THEY SAY
THAT THE RIDE SHARING SERVICES
ARE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE IN THE
JURISDICTIONS.
>> YOU HAVE A LOGO IN ONE AND
BACKGROUND CHECK ON ONE AND
DIFFERENT INSURANCE ON THE
OTHER.
THAT EFFECTIVELY KILLS
RIDESHARING WITH A PATCHWORK OF
IRRECONCILABLE REGULATION.
>> THE BILL IS READY FOR THE
VOTE BY THE HOUSE HOWEVER THERE
IS NO COMPANION MEASURE FILED IN
THE SENATE.
LAST YEAR BOTH CHAMBERS HAD
THEIR OWN MEASURE BUT THE SENATE
BILL ONLY DEALT WITH IN JAPAN'S
REQUIREMENTS.
THE FIRST VOTE ON THE TAX
PACKAGE COULD COME BY THE END OF
THE MONTH IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN.
FINANCE AND CHAIR, MATT GAETZ'S
PROPOSAL SETS GUIDELINES ON HOW
THEY COULD SPEND THE TOURIST
DEVELOPMENT TAX DOLLARS.
UNDER HIS PLAN EXPENDITURES
WOULD HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED IN
WRITING AND PROJECTS COSTING
MORE THAN $100,000 WOULD BE
EVALUATING TO DETERMINE THE
RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
>> I'M ONBOARD.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.
IT CHALLENGES THE MIND OF THE
PLAN SO I LIKE THAT PART SO FAR.
>> REPRESENTATIVES IF I COULD
PUT YOU ON THE SPOT I THINK THAT
I TAKE THE NUMBER RIGHT WITH
100,000 OR WOULD YOU MOVE THAT?
>> IT WOULD BE DEPENDENT ON THE
AREA IF WE ARE IN MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY WE ARE MAKING A PUSH
INTERNATIONALLY ENTERING INTO
OTHER 80 TO $100,000 IS TOO LOW
BUT IF WE ARE IN PARTS OF THE
PANHANDLE OR THE STATE THAT'S
MORE LOCALLY DRIVEN AS FAR AS
THE MONEY TO ATTRACT LOCALS IN
THE STATE WERE NEARBY ALABAMA OR
GEORGIA 88 IS TOO HIGH FOR THEM.
>> OTHER POSITIONS INCLUDE
REQUIRING THE COUNTIES TO SPEND
40% OF THE FUNDS ON MARKETING
AND ALLOWING THEM TO USE THE
FUNDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACTIVITIES.
EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT THE
BILLION-DOLLAR POWERBALL DRAWING
THAT IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS FOCUSED ON THE POPULAR
SCRATCH OFF TICKETS THAT THE
PLAYERS IN FLORIDA LIKE TO BUY.
THERE IS MORE THAN 70 DIFFERENT
GAMES AVAILABLE IN THE FLORIDA
LOTTERY BUT UNDER THE HOUSE BILL
607 IT WOULD BE REDUCED TO 20
AND THE PRICE WOULD BE CAPPED AT
$5.
BEFORE APPROVING THE BILL THEY
PRAISED THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR
PROPOSING THE IDEA THAT SOME
QUESTIONED THE IMPACT THE BILL
WOULD HAVE ON THE STATE REVENUE.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE HAVING
SCRATCH OFFS READILY ACCESSIBLE
AT GAS STATIONS AND GAS PUMPS IT
JUST ENCOURAGES MORE GAMBLING
AND IT'S TAKEN FROM PEOPLE THAT
CAN LEAST AFFORD TO GAMBLE AWAY
THEIR MONEY ANY WINDFALL THAT
MAY OCCUR ONE DAY WHERE THE ODDS
ARE ALWAYS STACKED AGAINST THEM
BUT I'M CONCERNED IN THE
LONG-TERM EFFECT THIS MAY HAVE
IN THE MONEY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO
GO TO THE FUNDING OF PUBLIC
EDUCATION IN THE STATE.
A PORTION OF THE REVENUE FROM
THE TICKET SALES SUPPORT PUBLIC
EDUCATION PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE
SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS AND
STATE ECONOMISTS ESTIMATE THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL COULD RESULT
IN A 264MILLION-DOLLAR
REDUCTION IN REVENUE AND THE
BILL'S SPONSOR SAYS THAT IT IS
INFLATED.
THE BILL HAS TWO MORE COMMITTEE
STOPS AND AN IDENTICAL BILL HAS
THREE COMMITTEE STOPS.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS COULD GET
THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE BACK UNDER
A BILL THAT GOT UNANIMOUS
SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE, HIGHWAY
AND WATERWAY SAFETY COMMITTEE.
207 REMOVES THE STATE LAW
PENALTY OF REVOKING A DRIVERS
LICENSE FOR CRIMES LIKE WRITING
A CHECK, GRAFFITI OR BEING A
MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL.
IT WOULD ONLY APPLY TO CRIMES
UNRELATED TO DRIVING.
IT WOULD AFFECT 850,000
FLORIDIANS INTO SOME HAVE
ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO GET THEIR
LICENSE IN THE PROGRAMS.
>> THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COUNTY
DESIGNATED THE CHURCH AND AS A
TEMPORARY COURTHOUSE FACILITY
FOR THE PURPOSES OF REINSTATING
DRIVERS WE EXPECT THREE TO 400
PEOPLE TO SHOW UP, 2,000 SHOWED
UP AND SOME SPEND THE NIGHT IN
THE PARKING LOT AND SOME STOOD
IN THE LINE AROUND THE BLOCK IN
THE DRIVING RAIN TO GET A
LICENSE.
>> THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID MANY
FOLKS DRIVE ANYWAY WITHOUT A
LICENSE AND THAT NOT HAVING ONE
CAN BECOME A BARRIER TO
EMPLOYMENT.
THEY STILL HAVE TWO MORE
COMMITTEES TO GO WHILE THE
SENATE BILL IS SET TO BE HEARD
TOMORROW BY THE TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE.
AT THE LATEST USDA ESTIMATES
SHOW THIS SEASON FLORIDA WILL
PRODUCE 29% FEWER ORANGES
COMPARED TO LAST SEASON.
THE MAIN CULPRIT, CITRUS
GREENING.
ADAM PUTNAM ASKED LAWMAKERS AND
OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
HELP IN THE FUNDING.
THE PROVISION INCLUDED IN THE
COMMITTEE SAID THEY WOULD HELP
STOP THE SPREAD OF CITRUS
GREENING.
SPIN IT IN THE EFFORT TO ASSIST
THE INDUSTRY THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENT WOULD CREATE A BIG
ROVER REMOVAL OR THE ELIMINATION
PROGRAM ALSO KNOWN AS THE GROVE
AND THE COST-SHARING PROGRAM FOR
THE REMOVAL OR THE DESTRUCTION
OF THE ABANDONED CITRUS GROVES
TO ELIMINATE THE HARBORING OF
THE CITRUS GREENING THAT SPREAD
THE DISEASE.
>> THE STATE WOULD BE UP TO 80%
OR THE MAXIMUM OF $125,000 TO
THOSE THAT QUALIFY.
THE IDEA IS TO REMOVE THE
DISEASED TREES SO THE BUGS THAT
SPREAD WON'T PICK IT UP.
HOUSE BILL 7,000 HAS ONE FINAL
COMMITTEE MEETING BEFORE IT
MOVES TO THE HOUSE AND HERE NOW
IS A LOOK AT MORE BILLS THAT
CLEARED THE COMMITTEE ON
WEDNESDAY.
♪
>> AFTER MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH
REFORMS FAILED TO PASS THE
LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR, THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE IS TRYING AGAIN.
THE CHILDREN, FAMILY AND SENIORS
COMMITTEE MET TO WORKSHOP A
BILL.
A SIMILAR MEASURE DIED LAST YEAR
DUE TO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
HOUSE AND SENATE.
SENATORS WANTED TO MERGE THE TWO
LAWS, THE BAKER ACT AND BOTH
ALLOW IN VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT OF
THE INDIVIDUALS ONE FOR MENTAL
ILLNESS AND THE OTHER FOR
SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
THE HOUSE DISAGREED WITH THAT
APPROACH BUT THE MEMBERS SAY THE
ARE LOOKING FOR COMPROMISE THIS
YEAR.
>> WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS ALIGN
THINGS THAT CAN BE ALIGNED.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT CAN'T
BE.
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.
THE CONDITION IS NOT THE SAME.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE SENATE
AND WE DON'T WANT TO MERGE THEM
TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT
QUITE FIT TOGETHER.
>> THE COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO
TAKE UP A SIMILAR BILL TOMORROW
THAT SEEKS TO ALIGN THE LAW AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
AMONG OTHER THINGS THE BILL
WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE NONPROFIT
GROUPS IN CHARGE OF THE SERVICES
TO DEVELOP A MORE COORDINATED
SYSTEM OF CARE.
SOME HEALTHY COMPETITION KICKED
OFF IN THE CAPITAL ON WEDNESDAY.
>> EVERY YEAR WE SAY WE ARE
GOING TO DO IT.
>> THE BIGGEST LOSER COMPETITION
CAPITAL EDITION CHAIR FROM THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE WEIGHED IN
THIS MORNING IT WILL WEIGH OUT
THE LAST WEEK OF SESSION.
THAT'S WHEN CONTESTANTS BUT LOSE
THE MOST WEIGHT OVER THE NEXT
NINE WEEKS WILL WIN PRIZES.
ALL STATE EMPLOYEES ARE WELCOME
TO JOIN IN THE CHILDREN'S TO
DROP THE MOST POUNDS.
THE SENATOR CAME UP WITH THE
IDEA IN 2005.
>> IT REMINDS EVERYBODY THAT
EVERY DAY IS CHOICES OF WHAT WE
NEED.
WE CAN MOVE AROUND OR NOT MOVE
AROUND.
WE HAVE A PROBLEM OF TOO MANY
PEOPLE ARE OVERWEIGHT AND SO WAS
THE PERFECT YEAR IT'S THE
PERFECT TIME TO START A NEW DIET
AND START A NEW COURSE I GUESS
OF HEALTHY EATING.
>> CONTESTANTS CAN PARTICIPATE
BY WEIGHING IN AT THE CLINIC ON
THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE CAPITAL
AND PAY THE 20-DOLLAR
REGISTRATION FEE.
PROCEEDS THIS YEAR WILL BENEFIT
BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS.
THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP AS
JANUARY 20.
AND WE HAVE A FINAL UPDATE FROM
THE SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVATION CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE AREAS THEY HAVE
APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD
REGULATE FRACKING ON THE SENATE
BILL 381 -- 318, RATHER.
IT WAS SIX TO THREE AND I'M TOLD
THAT THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE
IS ONE OF THE NO VOTES ON THE
BILL.
THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "CAPITOL UPDATE."
FROM ALL OF US, THANKS FOR
WATCHING. 813 00:27:58,276 ♪